[flatlander]

Dreamliner is the greatest name ever.

[fengshui]

Reading my Ciao! magazine today, I noticed a blurb about two of my favourite restaurants from the city's core moving to St. Vital: La Fiesta Cefecito has left their Sargent home for St. Anne's Road, and Lao Thai has moved from Selkirk to St. Annes as well. To me, part of the charm of those restaurants was their location in melting pot neighbourhoods. Won't be the same in St. Vital.

[Donovanf]

Reading my Ciao! magazine today, I noticed a blurb about two of my favourite restaurants from the city's core moving to St. Vital: La Fiesta Cefecito has left their Sargent home for St. Anne's Road, and Lao Thai has moved from Selkirk to St. Annes as well. To me, part of the charm of those restaurants was their location in melting pot neighbourhoods. Won't be the same in St. Vital.

The core is a great restaurant incubator.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Lao Thai is right where St. Annes starts (across from Global News) in a former house with a storefront.

La Fiesta is way down in the 'burbs by the entrance to Royalwood and River Park South. Diannes Gourmet Pizza (voted #1 in canada a few yrs back) has moved from St. Mary's to St Annes beside La Fiesta. Weird strip mall location for 2 restaurants like that.

[fengshui]

Artis REIT leases another floor in the Grain Exchange. No surprise, though, it's government.

Artis also confirmed today that it has entered into an unconditional
agreement to lease an additional full floor of the Grain Exchange Building (in
Winnipeg, Manitoba) to Public Works and Government Services Canada. The
agreement is for 25,363 square feet of currently unoccupied space
(representing 0.4% of the REIT's total rentable area) commencing May 1, 2008,
at competitive rental rates.

[jimj_wpg]

Artis REIT leases another floor in the Grain Exchange. No surprise, though, it's government.

Wonder if it's going to be on the 3rd floor. They were having some air quality problems on 3 in the past couple of years. Those in Agriculture Canada are now on the 7th.

But it is quite possible and likely that these problems have since been fixed/repaired, and 3 is OK again.

[newflyer]

Is there a restaurant is the Grain Exchange building?

[fengshui]

No, I don't think so.
Also, in the neighbourhood, 171 McDermot, formerly Pockets/Coyote Cafe is available turnkey to rent for $10,000/month, and Liberty Grill at 177 Lombard is on the market for $6,500/month.

[newflyer]

No, I don't think so.
Also, in the neighbourhood, 171 McDermot, formerly Pockets/Coyote Cafe is available turnkey to rent for $10,000/month, and Liberty Grill at 177 Lombard is on the market for $6,500/month.

Wow.. the Liberty Grill, a popular power lunch locale for the P&M crowd.

[newflyer]

I am not sure of the age of forumers on here, but thought this may interst some.

It was posted on the Winnipeg Chamber site.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8417/smcez3.jpg

[vid]

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7412/tradersjf8.jpg

So that's how they make their money... :hmmm:

[newflyer]

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7412/tradersjf8.jpg

So that's how they make their money... :hmmm:


I was in something similar to this years ago ... it really is alot of fun, especialy with a group.

[1ajs]

i was in that program in elimentry school lots of neat stuff

[newflyer]

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7412/tradersjf8.jpg

So that's how they make their money... :hmmm:


Here is a link to the Stock Market Challege Website:

http://www.fun-raiser.com/

[newflyer]

i was in that program in elimentry school lots of neat stuff

Well this one if for adults with all the bells and whistles. :banana:

[1ajs]

Well this one if for adults with all the bells and whistles. :banana:
sweetness

[j.online]

Anyone know why Hydro's getting into the telecom business (http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_business/telecom/index.shtml)?

[1ajs]

becuse they have their own data coridors to the dams and on the side they sell unused bandwidth... and also one can also transmit data threw the high voltage power lines...

[h0twired]

ENMAX in Calgary is in the data business. They have a HUGE fibre optic network and use MCI for peering to the internet.

[vid]

If Ontario's slew of money wasting hydro companies did this it would really help development and living conditions in the north.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Portage Place loses major tenant as day spa closes

Portage Place Shopping Centre has lost another major tenant with the closure of the Giselle's day spa on the downtown mall's second floor.

Daphne Petrakos, owner, president and CEO of Giselle's Professional Skin Care and Spas, confirmed the day spa closed when it's lease expired at the end of January.

"I've been there for 20 years... and all I can say is the store had a lot of sentimentality for me," Petrakos said in an interview. "I gave it my best shot, but I'm just not in a position to commit to a longer time there."

Giselle's is the second major tenant in the last six months to opt to leave the mall, which opened in September, 1987. McNally Robinson Booksellers confirmed last September it will vacate its 7,000-square-foot, main-floor on April 1 of this year.

Petrakos said all of the Portage Place spa's employees have been given jobs at Giselle's other two day spas on Grant Avenue and Meadowood Drive.

She said no decision has been made on whether to replace the downtown outlet with another spa elsewhere in the city.

[Greco Roman]

Portage Place loses major tenant as day spa closes

Portage Place Shopping Centre has lost another major tenant with the closure of the Giselle's day spa on the downtown mall's second floor.

Daphne Petrakos, owner, president and CEO of Giselle's Professional Skin Care and Spas, confirmed the day spa closed when it's lease expired at the end of January.

"I've been there for 20 years... and all I can say is the store had a lot of sentimentality for me," Petrakos said in an interview. "I gave it my best shot, but I'm just not in a position to commit to a longer time there."

Giselle's is the second major tenant in the last six months to opt to leave the mall, which opened in September, 1987. McNally Robinson Booksellers confirmed last September it will vacate its 7,000-square-foot, main-floor on April 1 of this year.

Petrakos said all of the Portage Place spa's employees have been given jobs at Giselle's other two day spas on Grant Avenue and Meadowood Drive.

She said no decision has been made on whether to replace the downtown outlet with another spa elsewhere in the city.

So then, all this garbage about how Portage Place is on the rebound is a figment of someone's imagination. Damn.

[drew]

^ just like that garbage response from McNally Robinson regarding the future of their downtown store that someone posted here a while back.

I can't remember exactly but it went something like
"we are continued in our support the downtown location, and look forward to the influx of customers when the new Hydro offices open up yadda yadda yadda."

Obviously that was a load of garbage too. It's Prairie Sky for me now period.

[fengshui]

Hotel fee finally coming to Winnipeg.

Hotel association agrees to 'destination marketing fee'

Updated at 10:14 AM

Winnipeg is about to lose its status as the last city of any significant size in Canada that does not collect a levy or tax on hotel rooms.
The Manitoba Hotel Association has agreed to collect a two per cent "destination marketing fee" to fund tourism and marketing initiatives in Winnipeg.
The levy will be purely voluntary, but the association expects 80 per cent of Winnipeg hotels will sign up for the program by the time it's launched in March or April. The association expects to collect approximately $1.5 million a year and place that cash in a fund which will then be administered by a board of directors comprised of hotel representatives from across the city.
That means the cash will not be handed over to city hall or Destination Winnipeg, the city's arm's -length marketing agency. Some city councillors would prefer to see the city decide how the money would be spent.
Across Canada, cities collect hotel taxes, levies and marketing fees ranging from 0.5 per cent to five per cent of a one-night room fee, though two per cent is the most common rate.

[wags_in_the_peg]

^ thats great news, it's about time we did this

[fengshui]

Hopefully, the money doesn't sink into a black hole of administrative costs, and ineffective promotion. I a little worried that is all being done by the hotel owners with no oversight by government (not that they have a great track record managing things).

So, this isn't a tax then, it's a self administered user fee of sorts.

[newflyer]

So then, all this garbage about how Portage Place is on the rebound is a figment of someone's imagination. Damn.

There won't be any problem filling those spaces. I heard they have a list of retailers who want to move in, but Portage Place wants a large book store and another spa. The new Hydro development has definatly helped Portage Place attract retailers.

[JayM]

There won't be any problem filling those spaces. I heard they have a list of retailers who want to move in, but Portage Place wants a large book store and another spa. The new Hydro development has definatly helped Portage Place attract retailers.

i find that portage place is more like a place to stay warm or hang out, then to actually buy something. lol. there is a large amount of bums inside and outside asking for change, and i say u want change, get a job.

[big W]

Are you formerly from Manitoba?

No just someone who cares about every part of this country. Which is why I find some governments and some people in Canada so frustrating. There are always people who want to write off one region etc. I would like all 10 provinces and 3 territories to do as well as they can, if one part is falling behind its potential it should affect us all.

[newflyer]

i find that portage place is more like a place to stay warm or hang out, then to actually buy something. lol. there is a large amount of bums inside and outside asking for change, and i say u want change, get a job.


Hopefully 2000 government employees can change that. Add a couple highrises on the top and get rid of the food court which attracts the bums and maybe we will have somthing much nicer.

[newflyer]

The malls in downtown Calgary also attract bums, but with thousands of office workers flowing through them, its not as noticable.

[vid]

Thunder Bay's downtown malls don't attract bums because they aren't open long enough. :frog:

Make Portage Place close at 3:30 on weekdays and I guarantee it will be bum (and shopper, and business) free in no time!!

[rypinion]

The malls in downtown Calgary also attract bums, but with thousands of office workers flowing through them, its not as noticable.

That's exactly what Portage Place looks like right now during the weekday lunch hour.

[newflyer]

That's exactly what Portage Place looks like right now during the weekday lunch hour.

Yes .... now imagine what it will be like with 2000 government office workers moving in across the street. It should add a good shot of vitality to the mall. Hense retail wants to locate there.

In my estimation there are a few retailers who stuck it out in the bad years, and have elected to move out just when the mall is on the verge of reaching a new status in the land of retail. One only wonders what would happen if Jim August could actually get his act together long enough to develop the building pads on top of the mall. Sadly I doubt he is up to the challenge.

[JayM]

Yes .... now imagine what it will be like with 2000 government office workers moving in across the street. It should add a good shot of vitality to the mall. Hense retail wants to locate there.

In my estimation there are a few retailers who stuck it out in the bad years, and have elected to move out just when the mall is on the verge of reaching a new status in the land of retail. One only wonders what would happen if Jim August could actually get his act together long enough to develop the building pads on top of the mall. Sadly I doubt he is up to the challenge.

i would find that interesting if that had happened, that would change the scene of that area completely, and far as the bums yeah they'll always be there, especially in the food court. lol unless ur in the burbs then u dont see that much for bums. on a somewhat related event to malls and bums, and winnipeg, theres a movie "Heater" or "Heator" cant remember, but that was movie about 2 bums and a baseboard heater in downtown and st. vital shopping centre. good movie unless u dont like wierd movies. lol.

[JayM]

i would find that interesting if that had happened, that would change the scene of that area completely, and far as the bums yeah they'll always be there, especially in the food court. lol unless ur in the burbs then u dont see that much for bums. on a somewhat related event to malls and bums, and winnipeg, theres a movie "Heater" or "Heator" cant remember, but that was movie about 2 bums and a baseboard heater in downtown and st. vital shopping centre. good movie unless u dont like wierd movies. lol.

ohh and one bum in the sqaure, who took a crap in the planter pot, which made its way off the security tapes, onto you tube. lol

[newflyer]

Well-rounded degree in business at U of W
New program takes multidisciplinary approach
Sat Feb 16 2008

By Martin Cash

THE University of Winnipeg will offer a multidisciplinary bachelor of business administration starting this fall, as an alternative to more traditional business school degrees.

In keeping with the downtown school's liberal arts approach, the new degree will encourage students to pursue other areas of study as well as business. University officials say it will be a counter to more finance-focused commerce degrees offered at the University of Manitoba's I.H. Asper School of Business and other business schools across the country.

Michael Benarroch, acting dean of the faculty of business and economics, where the new business administration department will reside, said the intention is to provide a slightly different approach.

"We are not looking to compete, we want to be complementary," he said.

Benarroch said the multidisciplinary approach is likely to include a stream in aviation management. Other streams in aboriginal business and non-profit business management are also being developed.

"Research around business education has shown that business students may tend to be myopic with training concentrated only in the area they focus on," Benarroch said. "But in the boardrooms there is more going on than just finance and human resources."

Dan Hurley, a spokesman from U of W president Lloyd Axworthy, said it's an important step for the university.

"This is a chance for our students to receive a business degree (rather than a bachelor of arts degree they now receive) and it will highlight the U of W's strengths," he said.

Enrolment in business courses at the U of W has increased by 30 per cent over the last three years and Hurley said there is real demand from adult, international and aboriginal students.

The move is seen as offering more flexibility for the downtown business community. Business leaders have been supportive of more business education options, especially if they do not compete with what already exists.

"If it is seen to be complementary to the Asper school, then I think the business community will respond positively," said Jim Carr, CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba, a special interest group that represents some of the largest private-sector employers in the province. "Good, solid business education is important in generating management expertise and the entrepreneurial spark needed to generate wealth in the province."

Benarroch said the new degree will be tailored to be meaningful to people working in a particular area.

"Rather than necessarily prepare everyone to work in a large corporation, people in the small business sector, people in the non-profit or in the aviation management area have some specific needs," said Benarroch.

The U of W is recruiting for three PhD professor/instructors to add to the staff.

No decisions have yet been made on tuition fees.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca

'Business students may tend to be myopic with training concentrated only in the area they focus on'

-- Michael Benarroch, acting dean of the faculty of business and economics

[newflyer]

:previous:

Its great to see the UofW doing so well. Adding a business facilty is definatly a great move. :tup:

[1ajs]

Motor Coach Industries Announces Layoffs and Plant Closure
FEB 15 2008 03:00 PM
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CJOB has confirmed Motor Coach Industries Ltd. announced to employees at its Winnipeg plant this morning there will be layoffs and a temporary plant closure.Local union president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Glenn Tomchak confirms he got a call this morning from Motor Coach management about upcoming layoffs.
But the company did not say how many employees or which jobs could be affected or exactly when the layoffs would happen.
He says production will be scaled back to one bus a day one the line that builds the shell of the bus here while the rest of it is completed at the Motor Coach plant in Pembina, North Dakota.
He confirms Motor Coach is planning to shut down the Winnipeg plant temporarily for one week in late April.
But Tomchak stresses the closure could be subject to change as the union will be meeting with Motor Coach next week to try work around it.
CJOB’s Colleen Bready reporting.

[Boreal]

I don't know if their are capital reasons behind this, but the Canadian manufacturing sector, although it has been bludgeoned has been remarkably resilient. I can't imagine that to continue. For any manufacturing plant in a high dollar market, you simply must be able to shift gears and start producing higher end, specialty manufactured goods to stay afloat. The bits and bites are going 100% off shore. I deal with the manufacturing sector on a bi-daily basis here in Winnipeg, and many (small to mid-size ...and perhaps larger)plant managers are being very forthright with customers that certain figures can't be met and your best (see: only) bet is to go off shore.

There are constant if not incessant complaints about the cost of supply relative to quality. And the complaint is real.

Don't get me wrong, the Chinese, Taiwanese, etc. product is borderline disgraceful, but its cheap. Real cheap. And it sells. Margins are tight and those pennies are getting hammered mighty thin.

[1ajs]

the who quality thing is somthing i have noticed does not matter how much somthing costs theres still corners being cut in quality witch is a shame things just don't last as long as they used to and thus we produce more waste cause of this

[theruler462]

Offices start to fill the spaces
Downtown leasing surge may signal sector's revival
Mon Feb 18 2008

By Murray McNeill

AFTER spending the last few years on the outside looking in, Winnipeg's office market may finally be joining the local real estate party.

The president of one of the city's largest commercial real estate firms -- Colliers Pratt McGarry -- said a number of leasing deals are in the works that indicate the demand for downtown office space may finally be heating up.

"I'm a little surprised the (leasing) activity hasn't been better than it's been," Wayne Pratt said in an interview, especially given Manitoba's strong economic performance over the last couple of years and all that's been going on in the other three segments of the commercial real estate market -- retail, industrial and investment properties.

The city's retail sector has been going through a construction and leasing boom in the last four or five years. Demand has also been brisk for industrial space and for investment properties.

"But maybe it (an increase in office leasing activity) is starting to show in '08," Pratt said. "Maybe there has just been a bit of a delay."

In its latest office market report, prepared in December and posted recently on the company's website, Colliers Pratt McGarry pegged the downtown office vacancy rate at 7.3 per cent and predicted there would be only a moderate improvement in 2008.

But that was before this recent spurt in leasing activity, Pratt said.

"I would say we're very optimistic the office market performance will be better than was forecast."

The spate of activity he was referring to includes two tentative deals that would see two different tenants lease just over two-thirds of the 73,000 square feet of Class A space that became available in the Canwest Place (formerly Canwest Global Place) office tower after last year's merger of Agricore United with Regina-based Saskatchewan Wheat Pool (now called Viterra). Pratt said Colliers officials are optimistic both those deals will be completed.

Colliers is also close to striking a deal with another firm that's interested in leasing the top floor of the Credit Union Central Building at 317 Donald St., he said. That 16,493 square feet of space has been vacant since the building opened in 2005.

A spokesman for the owner of the downtown Cityplace office tower said tenants have been found for most, and possibly all, of the 68,168 square feet of space that has been vacant in the building since last August. That was when CN moved its call centre from Cityplace to the Commodity Exchange Tower at Portage Avenue and Main Street.

The manager of the Winnipeg office of Morguard Investments Ltd. said Morguard is close to completing a deal with another company that wants to lease about 60,000 of the 77,000 square feet of space that Manitoba Hydro will be vacating at 444 St. Mary Ave. when it moves into its new downtown office tower at Portage and Carlton Street later this year.

Karen Lund said that deal could be signed as early as this week. She refused to disclose the identity of the prospective tenant, but industry rumours suggest it's Great-West Lifeco.

G-WL CEO Ray McFeetors confirmed the Winnipeg-based insurance giant is looking for additional office space in the city.

"Beyond that, that is all I care to say at the moment," he said.

Lund also said the demand for downtown office space has been heating up in the last few months, and that it's a broad-based demand.

"The city, the province, the feds and businesses are all looking for space."

Cityplace spokesman Elliot Katz, asset manager for Shelter Canadian Properties Ltd., said two federal government departments -- Justice and Veterans Affairs -- are leasing the bulk of the vacant Cityplace space.

The City of Winnipeg has expressed interest in leasing the remaining 11,000 to 12,000 square feet for its proposed new 311 telephone service, Katz said.

Although Pratt and Lund said they think the recent flurry of office-space leasing activity could be the beginning of a rebound in that market, another local realtor doesn't see it that way.

Wayne Johnson, author of The Johnson Report, a twice-yearly report on vacancy rates in the city's office, industrial and retail markets, said office leasing activity has been sluggish for the last four years and the recent spurt isn't enough to persuade him that trend is about to change.

Johnson said many of the factors that have had a dampening effect on downtown office leasing activity still exist. There still aren't a lot of new businesses moving to the city, and there still aren't a lot of local businesses expanding operations and snapping up more space.

Also, soaring construction costs have driven up the cost of office renovations and improvements, Johnson said, which has discouraged many companies from moving to different quarters. There are no signs that's going to change anytime soon, he added.

The Class C sector, meanwhile, saw its vacancy rate drop to 1.7 per cent from 3.4 per cent, Johnson said.

As for 2008, he doesn't predict much change from 2007.

"I think it's safe to say there is going to be limited (leasing) activity."

In its most recent market report, Colliers Pratt McGarry pegs the Class A vacancy rate at 9.2 per cent, Class B at 5.2 per cent and Class C at 9.7 per cent.

Johnson said he's not sure why there would be such a difference between his numbers and Colliers' numbers.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca


Office-space stats

Here are some of the numbers from Wayne Johnson's most recent market report:

* 17 million -- the number of square feet of rentable office space (downtown and suburban) covered in the report.
* 5.9 per cent -- the overall office vacancy rate for the city at the end of the year.
* 5.8 per cent -- the overall vacancy rate for Class A, B and C office space in downtown Winnipeg at the end of last year.
* 5.7 per cent -- the vacancy rate in downtown Class A office space at the end of the year.
* 7.4 per cent -- the vacancy rate in downtown Class B office space at the end of 2007.
* 1.7 per cent -- the year-end vacancy rate in downtown Class C space.
* 131,208 -- the number of square feet of downtown office space leased in 2007.

Here are some of the numbers from Colliers Pratt McGarry's latest office market report:

* 13 million -- The number of square feet of office space (downtown and suburban) covered in the report.
* 6.8 per cent -- the overall office vacancy rate at the end of 2007.
* 7.3 per cent -- the overall downtown office vacancy rate at the end of last year.
* 9.2 per cent -- the Class A vacancy rate at the end of 2007.
* 5.2 per cent -- the Class B vacancy rate at the end of the year.
* 9.7 per cent -- the Class C vacancy rate at the end of 2007.
* 94,000 square feet -- the net amount of office space absorbed by the market in 2007.

[viperred88]

^
^
^

now all we need is to bring office from the outskirts of downtown to downtown.

[dennis]

Or have JRI purchase Viterra and move their offices to Winnipeg...

[1ajs]

Or have JRI purchase Viterra and move their offices to Winnipeg...
lol

[Only The Lonely..]

Winnipeg inflation below most Canadian cities

By SUN MEDIA


Winnipeg's annual inflation rate came in below the national average last month and was trailed by only two major cities, according to a Statistics Canada report.

The city's inflation rate was 1.6% in January, down from 1.9% in December.

This compares to a national inflation rate of 2.2% for January.

Only Vancouver (1.1%) and Victoria (0.3%) had lower inflation rates of the big cities studied.

Thunder Bay, Ont. tied Winnipeg at 1.6%.

[vid]

Ha, that's nothing! I think March or April 2007, Thunder Bay actually had deflation!

[1ajs]

Owner rejects co-op's offer on Main Street hardware store

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 | 8:15 AM CT

CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html)


The owner of a North End retail institution in Winnipeg has rejected an offer by a group of local residents who want to take over operations.
The residents want to take over Pollock Hardware, on Main Street near Atlantic Avenue, and run it as a co-operative. The store, which closed at the end of 2007 when its most recent owner retired, has been a neighbourhood landmark since 1922.
The group spent weeks drafting a business plan and meeting with financial institutions and Co-op Development Services, but store owner Wayne Cash said the group's offer was disappointing.
He's waiting to hear if the group will make another offer; if not, Cash said, the store's inventory will be auctioned off in March.
The property, which had been for sale for months before Cash closed the store, is listed at more than $260,000.

[1ajs]

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ads.write("468x60"); Restaurant owner blames city
FEB 24 2008 12:10 PM
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The owner who abruptly shut the doors to his restaurant in the Conservatory in Assiniboine Park last weekend is blaming the landlord: the city of Winnipeg.Milan Bodiroga says he closed Ruby Begonia's because the city has different views about how to run a business. He says it forced him to walk out on a lease that expires at the end May.

He says despite attempts to work things out, the city could not honour his need for catering he planned to do there, and other issues, so it wasn't financially viable for him to stay.

Bodiroga says he had also planned to move Restaurant Dubrovnik to the Conservatory temporarily. That restaurant could be torn down for a luxury condo tower on Assiniboine Avenue, if approved by the city.

However, he says closing the restaurant at the conservatory has nothing to do with Dubrovnik's and the condo proposal, but wouldn't elaborate on his development plans.

Colleen Bready, CJOB News.

[1ajs]

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Fed Gov't Wants Action On East-West Power Grid
FEB 27 2008 01:10 PM
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Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says an east-west power grid is a good idea.

While this week's budget pledges 250-million dollars into research into carbon capture technology, there's nothing for hydro-electricity. But Flaherty told CJOB's Richard Cloutier, there is money available (play audio)
Flaherty says while agreements between Manitoba and Ontario are nice, he wants to see action.
CJOB News

[vid]

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Fed Gov't Wants Action On East-West Power Grid
FEB 27 2008 01:10 PM
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Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says an east-west power grid is a good idea.

While this week's budget pledges 250-million dollars into research into carbon capture technology, there's nothing for hydro-electricity. But Flaherty told CJOB's Richard Cloutier, there is money available (play audio)
Flaherty says while agreements between Manitoba and Ontario are nice, he wants to see action.
CJOB News

There has been action. The Ontario Government doesn't want to follow the plan to run the line along the north coast to feed native communities, they want to run it though central Patricia instead where it will only benefit the south! :rolleyes: Of course it seems to be a stale project. Additionally, moving forward with this project could be the key to phasing out NWOs four coal plants.

[flatlander]

This is sort of business related but just barely ...

Where's the best place to buy US dollars? The bank? Currency outlet?

[jimj_wpg]

...

[1ajs]

This is sort of business related but just barely ...

Where's the best place to buy US dollars? The bank? Currency outlet?


probably the curancy house in the curry building

[Biff]

probably the curancy house in the curry building

The currency house is only beneficial if you are converting large sums of currency, like $10,000 plus. Someone recommended that i try Money Mart once and I found...suprisingly that Money Mart offered a better rate than my bank.

[flatlander]

Interesting! thanks guys.

[Rudiger]

According to CBC Radio this morning, there will no cuts to the business tax this year.
Anyone hear any more on this?

[1ajs]

and the city is introducing a hotel tax

[1ajs]

The currency house is only beneficial if you are converting large sums of currency, like $10,000 plus. Someone recommended that i try Money Mart once and I found...suprisingly that Money Mart offered a better rate than my bank.

yer kidding me right? wish i had know that when i went to buy 500NZD back in jan was geting it for 83cents cad when it was worth 76 :S

[1ajs]

Phase out of business tax stalls
FEB 28 2008 07:30 PM
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Winnipeg's mayor says he plans to keep his election promise to phase out the business tax within 6 to 7 years, despite no cut coming in next week's operating budget.Mayor Sam Katz says it will be the status quo when it comes to the business tax this year.
According to Katz, he stated during both elections the plan was to phase out the business tax over approximately 6-7 years, and says that's still the case. But he adds he does not foresee any further movement this year.
He says this is going to be a very difficult budget, adding "you can only work with the tools that you have and that's not in the cards at this stage of the game."
The business tax was first cut for downtown businesses by 20 per cent, then it went city-wide last year.
As for property taxes in the budget, Katz says he's hopeful they will remain frozen, but says that won't be the case for too much longer.
CJOB’s Colleen Bready reporting.

[204]

This is sort of business related but just barely ...

Where's the best place to buy US dollars? The bank? Currency outlet?


Calforex (http://www.calforex.com/corporate_locations.php#winnipeg)

[1ajs]

Province not saying yet if it will approve hotel tax for city
FEB 29 2008 05:50 AM
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The province won't say yet if it will approve a hotel tax expected to be included in the city's operating budget next week.CJOB'S COLLEEN BREADY REPORTS...[listen to audio] 44 secs. ( "...CJOB News. " )

[1ajs]

Hydro Agreements
FEB 29 2008 04:20 AM
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The Province has completed the last of a series of financial settlements over damages from a forty-year old hydroelectric project. Manitoba Hydro and the government have signed a compensation deal with the Mosakahiken Cree Nation worth 3.3 million dollars. The agreement completes a decades old claim for land and money from damage caused by flooding from the Grand Rapids dam built in the 1960's.
Hydro CEO Bob Brennan says the deal, along with three other compensation packages with other northern communities, totals 20 million dollars. Brennan adds the agreements also included the transfer of 54 hundred acres of Crown land.

[ILYR]

Not sure if this info was already posted but is a positive step on business taxation in Manitoba.

"Corporate income tax rate will be reduced to 13 per cent from
14 per cent and on Jan. 1, 2008, the small business tax rate will be cut again to two per cent from three per cent. With this further reduction, Manitoba will go from having the second-highest small business tax rate in Canada in 1999 to the lowest rate in 2008."

Taken from the http://news.gov.mb.ca website

[1ajs]

shame crocus was run into the ground...

[h0twired]

shame crocus was run into the ground...

Crocus ran itself into the ground by making poor investments with other people's money.

It's a relief that no additional people got burned in the process and that it died as soon as it did.

[newflyer]

Crocus ran itself into the ground by making poor investments with other people's money.

It's a relief that no additional people got burned in the process and that it died as soon as it did.

As it was too many people lost there life's savings.

[newflyer]

Phase out of business tax stalls
FEB 28 2008 07:30 PM
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Winnipeg's mayor says he plans to keep his election promise to phase out the business tax within 6 to 7 years, despite no cut coming in next week's operating budget.Mayor Sam Katz says it will be the status quo when it comes to the business tax this year.
According to Katz, he stated during both elections the plan was to phase out the business tax over approximately 6-7 years, and says that's still the case. But he adds he does not foresee any further movement this year.
He says this is going to be a very difficult budget, adding "you can only work with the tools that you have and that's not in the cards at this stage of the game."
The business tax was first cut for downtown businesses by 20 per cent, then it went city-wide last year.
As for property taxes in the budget, Katz says he's hopeful they will remain frozen, but says that won't be the case for too much longer.
CJOB’s Colleen Bready reporting.

The city budget was a disappointment to many city businesses, especially small businesses who were counting on the city to get the business taxes down again this year.

I am sure the chamber will be riding the mayor to sharpen his pencil in the coming year.

[1ajs]

thats not posible with out rising property taxs newflyer... and when the amount of tax the city wants to cut is around 56million and that kinda money makes up a large chunk of the city budget i think the city is nutz when its been freezing property taxs as long as it has been

[1ajs]

Tories Contemplate Legal Action Over Hydro Line
MAR 10 2008 03:20 PM
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Manitoba's Opposition party is considering legal action in an attempt to prevent the Doer government from building a major hydro line west of Lake Winnipeg.Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen told a crowd of engineers in Winnipeg the NDP's plan to construct the line on the lake's west side could violate the law. McFadyen says his party is not ruling out legal action against the government due to economic, social, and environmental problems he feels are associated with the NDP's decision.
(play audio)
However, the Province has chosen the longer more expensive route citing environmental concerns.
CJOB's Jeff Keele reporting.



yeesh these guys are screaming for the wrong reson...

[flatlander]

The city budget was a disappointment to many city businesses, especially small businesses who were counting on the city to get the business taxes down again this year.

I am sure the chamber will be riding the mayor to sharpen his pencil in the coming year.

Understatement of the year. Dave Angus was riding his ass pretty hard, and justifiably so.

[newflyer]

thats not posible with out rising property taxs newflyer... and when the amount of tax the city wants to cut is around 56million and that kinda money makes up a large chunk of the city budget i think the city is nutz when its been freezing property taxs as long as it has been

Well the tax freezes have definatley made the city more attractive, but there is still alot of fat which can be cut. There is also possible new revenue streams such as selling naming rights.. which is a viable way to help pay for city venues.

As far as the business taxes, even while the business taxes (a second property tax on business) has come down by 20% across the city in the last 3 years, property taxes from businesses has increased due to more business activity. The city needs to continue to strive to do better, as Winnipeg is starting to see a revival of business interest not seen in a long time.

[newflyer]

Trend gives new leases to old spaces
Grain Exchange building virtually full
By: Murray McNeill

Updated: March 10, 2008 at 02:00 AM CDT

Print Article E-mail Article
THE vacancy rate in the century-old Grain Exchange Building has plummeted to its lowest level in more than two decades as demand for space in older downtown office buildings shows signs of perking up.

Doug McGregor, vice-president of leasing for Artis Real Estate Investment Trust, which owns the 250,000-square-foot heritage building at 167 Lombard Ave, said Public Works and Government Services Canada has signed a deal to lease the entire third floor, a total of 25,363 square feet.


http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4839/10b4grain3yf5.jpg

That leaves only about 7,500 square feet of empty space in the 11-storey structure, McGregor said, and reduces the building's vacancy rate to a mere 2.8 per cent.

"It's been well in excess of 20 years since it (the vacancy rate) has been that low," he said.

Commercial real estate industry officials said the Grain Exchange deal is further evidence that demand for space in downtown Winnipeg's older Class C and D office buildings is growing after years of lacklustre activity.

Colliers Pratt McGarry president Wayne Pratt said it appears Colliers has even found a tenant for a block of downtown Class C space across the street that has been sitting vacant for longer than he cares to remember.

Although the deal is still conditional, Pratt said the tenant -- he wouldn't say who it is -- has agreed to lease the entire second floor of the building at 177 Lombard, the Commerce Building. That's a total of 7,400 sq. ft.

Pratt noted in an interview last month that Winnipeg's downtown office market hasn't enjoyed the same kind of surge in sales and leasing that the retail, industrial and investment-property segments of the market have experienced in recent years.

Colliers is one of several local firms that regularly tracks office vacancy rates in the city. In its latest office market report, it pegged the Class C vacancy rate at 9.7 per cent at the end of 2007. That was up slightly from 9.4 per cent at the start of the year.


Enlarge Image

Doug McGregor at renovations for Public Works and Government Services offices. (Joe Bryksa/winnipeg Free Press )
Based on what's been happending over the last few months, Pratt said the Class C vacancy rate should be heading back down.

Colliers classifies most of the older downtown office buildings, including the Grain Exchange Building, as Class C structures. However, Wayne Johnson, a commercial and leasing representative with Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, divides them into two categories -- Class C and Class D, with the latter generally being older buildings that are less than 75,000 square feet in size.

Johnson pegged the Class D vacancy rate at eight per cent at the end of 2007. But he said the new Grain Exchange Building deal should reduce that to about 6.2 per cent.

He pegged the Class C vacancy at 1.7 per cent at the end of 2007. He said that's a big improvement from the most recent 10-year high-water mark of 8.6 per cent, set in 1998. Even the Class D rate is down considerably from that segment's 10-year high-water mark of 14.6 per cent set in 2003.

He and Pratt attributed the recent increase in leasing activity to pricing. Colliers said net effective rental rates for Class C space range from $4 to $6 a square foot for new deals. That compares to $7 to $9 for Class B space and $8 to $10 for Class A space.

Johnson said gross monthly rental rates are typically about $20 per square foot for Class C space, $25 or $26 for Class B, and about $30 for space in Class A buildings. And Class D rates tend to be even more affordable -- roughly $15 to $18 a square foot, he said.

Although Class C and D buildings usually offer fewer amenities than Class A or B buildings, Johnson said some companies don't care as long as the rent is more affordable.

He said rental rates for all types of downtown office space have been creeping up in the last couple of years, and he expects that trend to continue in 2008.

Pratt said the Class C buildings that offer upgraded amenities are the ones that will likely do better.

McGregor said the owners of the Grain Exchange Building have spent a substantial amount of money in recent years on building upgrades. For example, they're spending more than a million dollars to install new heating, air conditioning and electrical systems on the third floor in advance of the federal government moving in.

He said the federal government was already leasing space on the building's first, second and seventh floors, and the building's owners are thrilled to have them moving onto the third floor, as well.

He said the space had been on the market since last summer, and several private sector organizations expressed an interest.

"But we weren't able to conclude deals with them. So we were certainly very pleased to see this deal finalized."

Tom Corrigan, a communications officer with PWGSC, said the large floor plate was one of the reasons the government leased the third floor. The fact it already had offices in other parts of the building was another.

"There is the potential for some synergies there," he said. "It was a good fit for us."

The fact Artis REIT was willing to upgrade the space to modern office standards was another plus, he said.

Know of any newsworthy or interesting trends or developments in the local office, retail, or industrial real estate sectors? Let real estate reporter Murray McNeill know at the e-mail address below, or at 697-7254.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca


The Cs and the Ds

Some facts and figures about the Class C and D office sectors:

Collier Pratt McGarry classifies most of Winnipeg's older downtown office buildings as Class C buildings. However, Wayne Johnson, of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate divides them into two groups -- C and D -- with the C's usually being buildings with more than 75,000 square feet and D's being ones with less than 75,000 square feet. The D's also tend to have older heating, air conditioning and electrical systems.

Colliers pegged the vacancy rate for downtown Class C office buildings at 9.7 per cent at the end of 2007. Johnson had the Class C rate at 1.7 per cent and the Class D rate at eight per cent.

Johnson estimates there is 1.2 million square feet of Class C space in downtown Winnipeg, and 1.4 million square feet of Class D space. He said there was 21,296 sq. ft. of vacant Class C space at the end of 2007, and 114,501 sq. ft. of empty Class D space.

[vid]

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4839/10b4grain3yf5.jpg

Hey, it's the grain exchange you wouldn't give us! :banana:

Bastards.

[1ajs]

lol yea but we did give you a pink grain elevator :P

[h0twired]

As it was too many people lost there life's savings.

You would have to be a complete moron to invest your life savings in a venture capital fund regardless of the manager.

The people who lost it all have only their own self to blame.

[flatlander]

Good news whether you're a gary doer fan or not.

Manitoba's economic growth forecast to lead country
Updated: March 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM CDT
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Manitoba could be the hot spot in the country next year according to the Conference Board which is forecasting 3.7-per-cent growth in Gross Domestic Product for the province in 2008.
Citing on-going robust construction activity, a surprisingly strong manufacturing sector and strong domestic spending the Conference Board says Manitoba will out-strip an expected national growth rate of 2.8 per cent.
Saskatchewan is forecast to grow slightly less than Manitoba at 3.6 per cent. Alberta is expected to cool down thanks to a five-year low in drilling activity to 3.3 per cent.
The Conference Board believes that despite the faltering U.S. economy and the strong Canadian dollar Ontario and Quebec will continue to show modest growth thanks to healthy capital spending and decent income growth.

[1ajs]

thats good to hear

[Greco Roman]

Good news whether you're a gary doer fan or not.

Manitoba's economic growth forecast to lead country
Updated: March 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM CDT
PRINT ARTICLE E-MAIL ARTICLE
Manitoba could be the hot spot in the country next year according to the Conference Board which is forecasting 3.7-per-cent growth in Gross Domestic Product for the province in 2008.
Citing on-going robust construction activity, a surprisingly strong manufacturing sector and strong domestic spending the Conference Board says Manitoba will out-strip an expected national growth rate of 2.8 per cent.
Saskatchewan is forecast to grow slightly less than Manitoba at 3.6 per cent. Alberta is expected to cool down thanks to a five-year low in drilling activity to 3.3 per cent.
The Conference Board believes that despite the faltering U.S. economy and the strong Canadian dollar Ontario and Quebec will continue to show modest growth thanks to healthy capital spending and decent income growth.


You beat me to it ;)

[Only The Lonely..]

I keep hearing how the economy is so hot, yet our skyline has changed very little since 1992. When are the damn construction cranes going to appear!?!

Thus far, we have only a new government office and a museum to show for our boom.

[nordique]

Thus far, we have only a new government office and a museum to show for our boom.

and the thousands of box stores multiplying at a disgusting pace along kenaston.

[1ajs]

I keep hearing how the economy is so hot, yet our skyline has changed very little since 1992. When are the damn construction cranes going to appear!?!

Thus far, we have only a new government office and a museum to show for our boom.
yea the last boom we got a decent skyline from..... lol

but hey we have had 2 new tallest proposils sadly never made it past city hall :( 1 downtown 1 out in the boonies lol

[flatlander]

Global TV confirms move to Portage and Main
By: Geoff Kirbyson
Updated: March 12, 2008 at 07:24 AM CDT
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Global Television has confirmed it is moving to the heart of the city.
As first reported by the Free Press in January, the television station was planning to abandon its long-time home on St. Mary’s Road and move its 88 employees into Canwest Place at the corner of Portage and Main.
The move became official on Monday when staff was told about the move.
“We are pleased to announce that we have confirmed Global Winnipeg’s new location. We will be moving to the 30th Floor of Canwest Place. The expected timeline is September 1, 2008,” the e-mail said.
Global has been broadcasting out of a refurbished Safeway store since Izzy Asper launched his first television station there in 1975. The new space, which used to house the national news desk of its parent company, Canwest Global Communications Corp., until it was moved to Ottawa more than a year ago, will allow the station to update all of its technology as well as broadcast in high definition.
Global will be the second television station to move downtown in slightly more than two years. CTV Winnipeg, formerly CKY-TV, abandoned its home of nearly a half-century at Polo Park Shopping Centre in the spring of 2006.
Winnipeg’s other mainstream television stations are already downtown. CBC is headquartered on Portage Avenue while City-TV is based at The Forks.
geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca

[thegreattait]

Also it has been rumored for a while now that Meyers Norris Penny will be moving from their 1661 Portage Avenue location to occupy the floors vacated by Agricore United. I believe that they must have finally confirmed this as they had an information session at the Asper school of Business today and it was mentioned.

They have begun to outgrow their current location and now have an excellent opportunity to take up some prime realestate, thus providing them with greater credibility when competitng in the financial auditing industry.

[1ajs]

oooo thats good hope another small company starting out can fill the space they leave behind in that tower by route 90

[1ajs]

Rule change could kill Manitoba's online pharmacy industry

Last Updated: Friday, March 14, 2008 | 1:47 PM CT Comments0 (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/03/14/pharmacies.html#storypost)Recommend2 (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/03/14/pharmacies.html#)

CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/credit.html)


New rules adopted by the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association could force internet pharmacies to leave the province.

The association, which licenses pharmacies in the province, has approved a new rule that would prevent pharmacies from filling out-of-province prescriptions starting June 30. Pharmacies that don't comply could have their licences revoked.
Troy Harwood-Jones, with the Manitoba Internationals Pharmacy Associations, said that kind of rule is unheard of in other provinces, and in a recent vote, more than 70 per cent of pharmacists voted against it.
The province has assigned a mediator to try to work out the issues between the internet pharmacies and the regulator.
"This is not the nail in the coffin," Harwood-Jones told CBC News on Friday. "There haven't really been any demonstrated problems from the regulator. Any concerns which they have brought up, they're solvable."
His group is also looking into whether they actually need a provincial licence to operate, Harwood said.
"We haven't broken any rules, and we're pharmacies like any other pharmacy," he said. "If we follow the rules and we conduct our businesses appropriately, ethically and legally, I can't see how the pharmacy regulator could take our licences away."
Harwood-Jones hopes they are able to work out a compromise — but if they can't, he believes many of the 20 internet pharmacies now operating in Manitoba would leave the province.

[newflyer]

Chamber to Hit Milestone Anniversary
It was 135 years ago this Saturday, March 8th that The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce was first incorporated.



In recognition of this milestone The Chamber is producing a Special Edition of the Chamber Wire magazine focussing on our storied past and the many accomplishments we have achieved over that time frame. The Chamber Wire Magazine will be delivered directly to Chamber members later this month.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Congrats to the Chamber on reaching this milestone.

[newflyer]

Big news this week, which I forgot to post.

MTS/Allstream joins with CPP and one of the largest private capital groups in a bid to obtain a licence for a new national mobile phone network.

If this gets approved look for MTS to have a sudden need for more office space. Perhaps a new Allstream Mobile building will be in the city's future. :cool:

[jimj_wpg]

Big news this week, which I forgot to post.

MTS/Allstream joins with CPP and one of the largest private capital groups in a bid to obtain a licence for a new national mobile phone network.

If this gets approved look for MTS to have a sudden need for more office space. Perhaps a new Allstream Mobile building will be in the city's future. :cool:

Naw. No need. They'll probably get taken over (bought up) by FOX News or something stupid like that. And then they'll move their HQ down south to Florida or something stupid like that.

[newflyer]

Naw. No need. They'll probably get taken over (bought up) by FOX News or something stupid like that. And then they'll move their HQ down south to Florida or something stupid like that.


Doubt that .. CRTC protects canadian communications companies.

Plus MTS is really looking good, compared to the finances of Bell.

[fengshui]

Ledohowski offers to BUY the convention centre. I wondered what he was going to say this morning at EPC - man, he dropped that one out of nowhere.

The head of the Canad Inns hotel chain has offered to purchase the Winnipeg Convention Centre in an attempt to convince Winnipeg to back away from a proposed five-per-cent tax on hotel rooms.
Canad Inns president and chairman Leo Ledohowski stunned a meeting of city council’s executive policy committee this morning by offering to buy and operate the convention centre, which would be partly funded by a hotel tax.
Ledohowski would not place a dollar value on the convention centre, but offered to enter into negotiations and work out a deal.
He still backs the idea of the Manitoba Hotel Association levying a two-per-cent destination marketing fee on Winnipeg hotel rooms, but considers the city’s tax a detriment to his business and the entire industry.
Meanwhile, the city and its hoteliers remain engaged in a game of chicken over proposed surcharges on hotel rooms.
The Manitoba Hotel Association ventured to city hall this morning to convince council's executive policy committee to back away from a proposed five-per-cent tax on hotel rooms.
The city, meanwhile, wants the MHA to drop plans to levy a two-per-cent destination marketing fee.
If both surcharges go ahead, visitors to Winnipeg will face a combined seven-per-cent hotel levy, on top of the five-per-cent GST and seven-per-cent PST already charged on hotel rooms.
The combined 19-per-cent surcharge would make Winnipeg hotel rooms among the highest-taxed in North America.
As of this morning, neither side was prepared to back down, even though both agree levies or taxes are required to pay for tourism and convention marketing and bring special events to Winnipeg.

[viperred88]

This article is for all those who didn't want the new arena downtown.:koko:

The arena in itself brought a positive impact to downtown.

_______________________________________
Mon, March 17, 2008

Brier brings biz bonanzaOut-of-towners increase sales at shops, restaurants
By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA



Businesses soaked up big sales as the 2008 Brier drew people from across Canada to downtown Winnipeg.

The Best Western Charterhouse Hotel, located on York Avenue, had all of its 86 rooms booked six months ago for the Brier.

"It's definitely had a positive impact," said John Anderson, general manager of the hotel.

Anderson said many of the hotel's guests came and stayed for the duration of the Brier.

"It's been good exposure for the downtown," said Anderson, adding the event brought the same kind of buzz to Winnipeg as the Grey Cup did in 2006.

Over at Moxie's Classic Grill at MTS Centre, the restaurant saw sales rise about 20% during daytime hours and about 40% during evening hours over the course of the Brier, said general manager Jason Grenville.

Many of the restaurant's patrons were from out of town, said Grenville, with large groups from Canada's east coast on hand.

"The people that came in were great to have around -- lots of high energy," he said.




Down the street, Warehouse One on Portage Avenue also saw more people coming in off the street every day.

"Our traffic has definitely been up from the Brier," said sales associate Hope McKay.

WARMER WEATHER

The nearby Portage Place Shopping Centre was also very busy, said McKay, adding the warmer weather also helped convince people to come out.

Chuck Davidson of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said large events such as the Brier typically improve business for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the area near the event.

The events can also positive effects that last longer, he said.

"Having people in your city that typically may not come here, you want them to have a great time so they tell their friends and families that Winnipeg is a great city," said Davidson.

The Brier was "run flawlessly," said Davidson, adding he hoped visitors would return and encourage others to consider travelling to Winnipeg

[MooseJets]

This article is for all those who didn't want the new arena downtown.:koko:

The arena in itself brought a positive impact to downtown.

_______________________________________
Mon, March 17, 2008

Brier brings biz bonanzaOut-of-towners increase sales at shops, restaurants
By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA



Businesses soaked up big sales as the 2008 Brier drew people from across Canada to downtown Winnipeg.

The Best Western Charterhouse Hotel, located on York Avenue, had all of its 86 rooms booked six months ago for the Brier.

"It's definitely had a positive impact," said John Anderson, general manager of the hotel.

Anderson said many of the hotel's guests came and stayed for the duration of the Brier.

"It's been good exposure for the downtown," said Anderson, adding the event brought the same kind of buzz to Winnipeg as the Grey Cup did in 2006.

Over at Moxie's Classic Grill at MTS Centre, the restaurant saw sales rise about 20% during daytime hours and about 40% during evening hours over the course of the Brier, said general manager Jason Grenville.

Many of the restaurant's patrons were from out of town, said Grenville, with large groups from Canada's east coast on hand.

"The people that came in were great to have around -- lots of high energy," he said.




Down the street, Warehouse One on Portage Avenue also saw more people coming in off the street every day.

"Our traffic has definitely been up from the Brier," said sales associate Hope McKay.

WARMER WEATHER

The nearby Portage Place Shopping Centre was also very busy, said McKay, adding the warmer weather also helped convince people to come out.

Chuck Davidson of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said large events such as the Brier typically improve business for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the area near the event.

The events can also positive effects that last longer, he said.

"Having people in your city that typically may not come here, you want them to have a great time so they tell their friends and families that Winnipeg is a great city," said Davidson.

The Brier was "run flawlessly," said Davidson, adding he hoped visitors would return and encourage others to consider travelling to Winnipeg

Imagine if we had an NHL team. It would be like this for every game. :cheers:

[thegreattait]

large groups from the east coast would come out to regular season games? Wow I knew we loved the Jets but I didn't know that passion was nation wide.

The Jets are gone, you want hockey go to a moose game, and leave tax payer dollars for better uses.

[1ajs]

The Jets are gone, you want hockey go to a moose game, and leave tax payer dollars fo better uses.

:tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:

[jimj_wpg]

The Jets are gone, you want hockey go to a moose game, and leave tax payer dollars fo better uses.

Mmmm.... "tax payer dollars for better uses".... ummm, like for a rapid transit line? :omg:

[fengshui]

Lanesborough REIT buys Colony Square.

Lanesborough REIT Announces the Acquisition of Winnipeg Apartment/Office Complex

WINNIPEG, March 18 /CNW/ - Lanesborough Real Estate Investment Trust
("LREIT") (TSX: LRT.UN) announced today that it has agreed to acquire a 90%
beneficial interest of an apartment/office complex in Winnipeg, Manitoba,
known as Colony Square, for $34.2 Million, subject to the usual closing
adjustments. LREIT currently owns a 1.5% beneficial interest and is permitting
certain existing owners, who own an aggregate of 8.5% beneficial interest, to
remain as part of the ownership syndicate.
Colony Square comprises 1.89 acres located on the south side of Portage
Avenue in downtown Winnipeg across from the University of Winnipeg. The
complex consists of two apartment towers of sixteen and seventeen storeys,
respectively, a seven-storey office building and a 270-stall underground
parkade. The two apartment towers contain a total of 428 suites, comprised of
72 studio/bachelor suites, 296 one-bedroom suites and 60 two-bedroom suites.
The office building contains 80,935 square feet of leasable area, with an
additional 2,255 square feet of leasable commercial area on the main floors of
the apartment towers.
The purchase price of $34.2 Million for a 90% beneficial interest equates
to an effective $38 Million price for 100% of the property. Based on an
estimated 2009 net operating income of $2.6 Million, the purchase price
represents an estimated capitalization rate of 6.8%. The property was
appraised, effective December 1, 2007 at $38.47 Million.
The acquisition will be funded by the pro-rata assumption of a
$21 Million first mortgage loan, bearing interest at 5.5% and maturing in
April 2015, and the balance of approximately $15.3 Million from the proceeds
of upward refinanced mortgage loans on existing LREIT properties. The
acquisition is scheduled to close on October 1, 2008.

[Greco Roman]

Lanesborough REIT buys Colony Square.

Interesting, as my grandmother lives in that building. I guess we'll see if any changes are in store.

[MooseJets]

large groups from the east coast would come out to regular season games? Wow I knew we loved the Jets but I didn't know that passion was nation wide.

The Jets are gone, you want hockey go to a moose game, and leave tax payer dollars for better uses.

typical.....:rolleyes:

[Greco Roman]

New club banks on fresh style
By ROSS ROMANIUK, SUN MEDIA
Sunday, March 23, 2008


Wade Salchert plans to open Whiskey Dix at the same location where the Empire Cabaret recently closed after a fatal stabbing. (C. Procaylo, Sun Media)

After the fall of The Empire, a new downtown nightclub is rising to replace it.

And it's a little bit country, a little bit Vegas and a lot of rock 'n' roll.

A pricey upgrade is in the works for a Main Street building to become home to Whiskey Dix -- a bar replacing the popular Empire Cabaret, which officially shut down in January after a fatal stabbing and a shooting that wounded four customers last fall.

"It's the same building but it's a different ownership, different management, different staffing and different concept. There's nothing the same about it," Wade Salchert, the new bar's majority owner, told the Winnipeg Sun yesterday of the three-level building on Main Street just north of Portage Avenue.

The nightclub, Salchert said, will open in May with a pop, rock and country music theme after he and several co-owners complete extensive renovations expected to cost up to $1 million.




He stressed that customers won't have to worry about The Empire's reputed troubles with gangs and violence.

"I'm not taking over the clientele. I'm taking over the building," said Salchert, 41, a former dentist who also is a part-owner of the nearby Alive In the District nightclub.

"We're making it look completely different," he added, noting he plans to focus on security. "We've had great success elsewhere, and want to continue that hospitality and bring cabaret entertainment to the next level."

He didn't give details on security plans, but said the bar will feature "choreographed dancers" each night and "the largest, most impressive patio" of any club in Winnipeg.

'LIKE A VEGAS HOTEL'

"It's going to be very well-lit," he said. "It's going to catch your eye like a Las Vegas hotel."

Empire proprietor Sabino Tummillo officially shut down his club last winter by choosing not to try to keep the club's liquor licence in the midst of an investigation by the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission. The probe had begun as a result of the fatal stabbing of Jeff Engen last November and an October incident in which four innocent bystanders were wounded in a shooting.

After the Nov. 18 stabbing death, Tummillo closed The Empire's doors.

Lisa Holowchuk, director of the Exchange District Business Improvement Zone, said the new opening is a "good statement" about downtown safety.

"It shows that there is confidence in downtown and that it's a good location for entertainment," she said, adding the bar should do well.

"Most reasonable people recognize that the incidents in the past are isolated and tend to be between people who sort of know one another and partake in high-risk lifestyles. In terms of the general public, you don't need to be scared downtown."

http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2008/03/23/5078486-sun.html